I might be mistaken but where does it say that the conditional draft pick given up is a conditional 7th rounder. All it says as the header is a conditional 2008 pick and when you click on the story talks about Raegor the DT they just signed no mention of the compensation for draft pick. So far the pick could be a conditional anything from what I see.

As an Eagles fan, I am psyched about this deal. I am not going to go crazy and say he is a probowler like TNEW would do. But I will say we get to fill two draft needs, while losing a DT who can't stop the run and a seventh rounder next year. This trade does make our team much better though, I don't care what TNew says, I try not to pay attention to what he says anyway, he is a MORON. The Eagles biggest needs are now Strong Safety and either a WILL or a MIKE, depending on what our FO thinks about Gaither. Personally, I think it will be MIKE, Gaither is very good at the WILL. If we get a solid draft pick at LB, we could have a nasty LB corp for years, with the developmentof Gocong and Gaither. Our LBs will be able to be used in sooooo many ways next year. The Eagles have the potential to be a top 5 offense and a top 5 or ten defense if they get a good draft. I am so happy right now, and TNew should be shaking in his boots, because our D will be ripping apart "Big D" for the next few years to come.

This is interesting this deal as Spikes is an upgrade over the likes of Dhani Jones and Matt McCoy. Chris Gocong is probably slated to be a pass-rusher though I am curious to see his tackling ability as a LB'er, he should have some success there.

Now Gaither looked good down the line for Philadelphia and I can see him starting next season or at the least, getting extensive PT. The Eagles shuffling Trotter in and out should definitely help his career a bit and keep everyone fresh so I think this is a solid move for Philly.

SPIKES, HOLCOMB TRADE: I have to commend the Bills on this move. They clear some salary space and help to address a need on the interior of their defensive line. Even better Walker is still under contract through the 2008 season at reasonable money ($1.3M base in 2007 and $1.4M base in 2008). Holcomb really wasn't a fit in Steve Fairchild's offense. He's a better fit for the horizontal passing attack of a west coast offense, so he should serve a purpose in Philly.

Walker is a hard-nosed defensive tackle who can penetrate. His sack totals are impressive for an interior player, although playing with two good defensive ends helped in Cole and Kearse (when healthy). I like that Walker has been durable and though he is 30-years old, he won't have to play 50 plays a game in Buffalo's rotational system, so he should be able to stay fresh. I expect him to work with Larry Tripplett at the 3-technique position and rotate through. I'm wondering if this means that John McCargo will become a full time nose tackle or one-technique and rotate with Kyle Williams. We'll have to see.

I'm hearing the conditional pick is a seventh rounder for Holcomb.

It's really tough to see Spikes leave knowing the warrior he was when healthy, but I don't think the Bills felt they could afford to wait another season to see if Spikes would return to full form. Spikes' last two games last season were pretty productive and I understand his performance in those two games is what sold the Eagles on him.

Unfortunately the odds are against NFL players who try to return from achilles injuries. Sure everyone references Seattle's Julian Peterson, but he is an exception to the rule. Chicago's Mike Brown still isn't right after missing most of last season. Philadelphia's Todd Pinkston struggled in his return to form last year. Sam Cowart was never the same player. I'm never one to doubt Spikes and his incredible will, but the statistics build a compelling case against him.

Still I wish him luck. He was a stand up locker room guy and very active in the community.